Obesity and Type II Diabetes

September 18, 2014

Along with the exponential spread of obesity in the United States has come a staggering increase in a silent, but dangerous disease – Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes, is generally caused by a person’s lifestyle – usually a lack of proper diet and exercise. While untreated type-II diabetes is a killer disease in the long-term, even the early stages can be devastating and life changing. The disease has been known to claim people’s eyesight and even limbs, as circulation throughout the body is reduced, giving way to infection.

While this disease is rampant and dangerous, it is also largely preventable, with many cases being a direct result of obesity. Almost every obese person wants to lose weight and has tried to do so through a combination of diet, exercise or even pills. While diet and exercise is successful in the short term, it is rare that these methods alone will yield sustained weight loss and elimination of obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. More and more, those who are obese have turned to weight loss surgery, and specifically gastric bypass, to help them control obesity and type 2 diabetes once and for all.

Virtually every bariatric procedure will eliminate this disease in the majority of patients. However, gastric bypass, offering a combination of restriction and malabsorption, is the most effective of these procedures with a type 2 diabetes resolution rate of over 80%. Many times, patients will see a significant improvement in their blood sugar levels within days after surgery.

For prospective patients that qualify and whose surgical risk is low enough, weight loss surgery can be the answer to their type 2 diabetes problem. It is important to note, however that after surgery, patients will be expected to adhere to a strict diet and exercise plan – it is not a magic bullet.

Advanced Surgical Associates is one of the first exclusively surgical groups practicing in Union County New Jersey. And that is just the first of many firsts for ASA. For over 40 years, we have pioneered breakthrough surgical patient care in North Jersey in both general and weight loss surgery. ASA also offers gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and gastric banding to those suffering from obesity in New Jersey.